Matthew Poole and continuators on Romans 1:21

21. Because that when they knew God they glorified him not as God , neither were thankful , but became vain in their imaginations , and their foolish heart was darkned .

Either this must be refer'd to the Words immediately foregoing; and then 'tis a Reason why the Gentiles are inexcuseable; because, that when they knew God, they Glorified him not as God, &c. Or else it refers to ver. 18. and then 'tis a proof of their with-holding the Truth in unrighteousness, because, &c.

They had a natural Knowledge of God, it was Taught them as before, by the Light of Nature, and by the Book of the Creature. Though this was not sufficient to Save them; yet it was sufficient to leave them without Excuse,

They did not Conceive of Him, and Worship Him, as became his Divine Excellencies and Perfections, vid. Psal. 29.2.

They did not own God to be the Author and Giver of all the good things they enjoyed, and return Him thanks accordingly; but referred all to Chance and Fortune, their own Prudence and Providence, the Influence of the Stars, &c.

or Reasonings. This hath chief respect to the Conceptions and Opinions that the Heathen framed to themselves of the Divine Being. For though some denyed there was a God, and others doubted thereof; Yet generally it was acknowledged by them; yea, some owned a multiplicity of Gods, and those either Corporeal or Incorporeal. Others acknowledged but one God, as Plato, Aristotle, &c. but then they either denied his Providence, as the Peripateticks, or tyed Him to second or inferior Causes, as the Stoicks. This is the Vanity which the Apostle here speaketh of. Note also, that Idols, the frame of idle Brains, are called Vanities, vid. Deut. 32.21. Ier. 10.15. Act. 14.15,

By the Heart is meant the Mind, their very Understandings were darkned, the natural Reason in them was obscur'd: This was a just Judgment upon them for their abuse of Knowledge and Pride, of which in the next Verse.

Marginal references: Eph. [illegible: 1 letter].[illegible: 1 letter] 18.